Fish-e-Facts 380
15 December 2015
December 2015
The 2016 Recreational Fishing Guide is out now!
The Guide, which is funded by recreational fishing licence fees, outlines the rules that currently apply and new ones introduced since the previous 2015 version.
Check it out at www.vic.gov.au/fishingguide.
Guides are available free from most tackle shops, offices of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, or by ringing the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Our free smartphone app called 'Vic Fishing' has also been updated to reflect changes in the Guide.
Abalone offenders
Seven people who illegally harvested abalone from the Mornington Peninsula have received penalties ranging from $500 to $3000 fines, criminal convictions, the loss of dive and fishing gear and bans on recreational fishing of up to two years.
The Frankston Magistrates Court heard three cases last week involving the illegal harvest of abalone from Sorrento, Cape Schanck and Mornington.
After a call to 13FISH (133474), Fisheries Officers inspected a male and female at Mills Beach and found 70 abalone. The pair resisted arrest and provided false names and addresses. Both pleaded guilty, with the principal male offender receiving a criminal conviction and a fine of $3000, while the female received a fine of $500.
In the second case, again involving a call to 13FISH reporting suspicious diving activity, two men were found with 80 abalone and one rock lobster with eggs at Sorrento. The principal offender was fined $2000, received a criminal conviction, was banned from fishing for 2 years and had all dive gear forfeited.
The third case involved three Melbourne students, found with 87 abalone at Cape Schanck. Each was fined $2000, banned from fishing for 1 year and had their fishing equipment forfeited.
Learn more about abalone fishing rules.
Fisheries Victoria is now on Instagram!
To follow us and see what we are doing simply head to the App Store or Google Play, download Instagram (for free) and search for fisheriesvic.
Our Target One Million plan to get more Victorians fishing more often, is committed to improving recreational fishing opportunities and encouraging families to get outdoors. So please follow us on Instagram and share with your friends.
Churchill fishing clinic
Red-fin, eels and a number of sticks were caught at the recent junior fishing clinic/competition held at Hyland Lake, Churchill.
At this event over 100 children were taught basic fishing skills including the importance of fishing responsibly by knowing and obeying the rules.
Hyland Lake is one of Fisheries Victoria's Family Fishing Lakes. Usually located convenient to towns, Family Fishing Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout just before winter and spring school holidays. Rainbow trout are a great species to get kids hooked on fishing. They are fast growing and good fun to catch.
These clinics are part of the educational component of the government's Target One Million plan. Aiming to get more families outdoors Fisheries Victoria's education group has taken the fishing message to tens of thousands of children this year.
Vic Fishing app leading to massive savings!
Coming into its 5th year, the Vic Fishing app has led to a reduction in the annual printing of the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide by 100,000 copies!
Printing of the Guide is funded by recreational fishing licence sales. Revenue from the sale of licences is used to fund projects that improve fishing across the state like, habitat improvement, fish stocking and fisheries research. Guide savings mean more of these projects can be funded.
To download the app visit the "App Store" or the "Google Play" on your smart phone and search for "Vic Fishing".